Wait goes on for Courtney Upshaw, but 'he's going to keep his head up'

Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw (41) celebrates after the game in the 2012 BCS National Championship game in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Monday, January 9, 2012 in New Orleans, La. (Birmingham News, Hal Yeager)

NEW YORK -- Dont'a Hightower was caught up in the moment, interviewing with a new face every five minutes after he was selected by the New England Patriots with the 25th pick in Thursday's NFL Draft.

He was on a high. And then he heard the news about his teammate, Courtney Upshaw, who was invited to Radio City Music Hall for Thursday's first round, but didn't hear his name called.

"That kind of threw me out of whack," Hightower said.

At that point of the night, Hightower hadn't spoken to Upshaw since he left the green room. He was confident, though, that Upshaw was handling it well.

"He's going to keep his head up regardless of what round he goes," Hightower said. "Courtney's a hell of a player. Regardless of what round he goes, whenever he gets to the league and puts his pads on, he's going to be a good player. It doesn't matter. He's a good player."

Making things marginally easier for Upshaw is that he wasn't alone. This wasn't an Aaron Rodgers or Brady Quinn moment.

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. called Upshaw a "borderline" first-rounder because of the ambiguity that surrounded what position he would play in the NFL, but he still projected him to land in the top 20. This blogger has yet to find a mock draft that didn't include Upshaw's name.

Hightower said Upshaw was in good spirits the last time he saw him, and he expected nothing less after the final pick in the first round.

"Alabama's a brotherhood, regardless of who goes where," Hightower said. "We're always going to stay close and connected. It was a big surprise to see Courtney not get drafted. It's a disappointment but wherever he goes, he's going to make plays."